The relationships among components of the 3D world are somewhat similar to relationships among 2D sprites and cast members:

	A model resource is a set of data containing geometry that many models can use, just as many sprites can use a single cast member.
	A single shader can define the color and reflectivity of many models, just as a single cast member can define the appearance of many sprites.
	Shaders use textures much as models use model resources. Changing a texture affects all shaders that use that texture.
	Motions can be used by more than one model, just as cast members can be used by more than one sprite.

For complete information on how models, model resources, shaders, and motions work together, see the "Working with Models and Model Resources" chapter of What's New in Director 8.5.

To create models and motions, you can use a modeling application such as 3D Studio Max and then import the content into Director. For more information on creating and importing models, see the article "Preparing 3D content for Shockwave 3D" in Macromedia's Director Support Center, and the 3D Studio Max Exporter User Guide on the Director 8.5 installation CD.